Handcuff holster

ABSTRACT

A handcuff holster comprising a pair of substantially circular spaced apart side members between which is circumferentially positioned a tapered end member. Each of the side members includes an outwardly extending annular groove which is located between a circumferential flange and an inner circular area. The annular grooves in cooperation with the inner area define an engaging pocket which conforms to the shape of conventional handcuffs. The end member is positioned between and to the circumferential flange and occupies only a portion of the circumference about said side members to provide an opening into the engaging pocket. Means are also provided for securing the holster to a belt.

United States Patent [191 Valadez [111 3,826,414 [451 Jul 30, 1974 HANDCUFF HOLSTER [76] Inventor: Rudolph Valadez, 3313 Campbell Rd., #248, Houston, Tex,

[22] Filed: June 21, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 372,278

[52] US. Cl. 224/2 F, 224/26 B [51] Int. Cl. F4lb 13/04 [58] Field of Search 224/2 B, 2 F, 5 A; 24/3 F [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS l/l872 Fritscho 224/2 F 4/1922 O'Leary..... l2/l97l Biunchi 224/2 B Primary ExaminerRobert J. Spar Assistant ExaminerRoss Weaver Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Yeager, Stein & Wettach 5 7] ABSTRACT A handcuff holster comprising a pair of substantially circular spaced apart side members between which is circumferentially positioned a tapered end member. Each of the side members includes an outwardly extending annular groove which is located between a circumferential flange and an inner circular area. The annular grooves in cooperation with the inner area define an engaging pocket which conforms to the shape of conventional handcuffs. The end member is positioned between and to the circumferential flange and occupies only a portion of the circumference about said side members to provide an opening into the engaging pocket. Means are also provided for securing the holster to a belt.

5 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures HANDCUFF HOLSTER FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an improved holster for handcuffs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION For a number of years, law enforcement officers have been required to carry handcuffs on their person to aid them during the apprehension and retention of criminals. Notwithstanding the fact that the frequency of use may, in many cases, be infrequent, the exigencies of the circumstances surrounding their use require that they be immediately available. Furthermore, not only must the handcuffs be immediately available for use, they preferably must be in a position which is convenient and safe for proper placement upon the person to be placed under a forceable arrest.

A number of holsters for handcuffs have been proposed in which their main objective was to provide a means wherein the handcuffs'could be easily, quickly and positively removed for immediate use as well as comfortable to the carrier of the handcuffs. Examples of these proposed holsters include US. Pat. Nos. 1,413,290, 1,517,588, 1,894,540 and 3,143,262, the latter of which is a holster particularly adapted to holding handcuffs of the type described in US. Pat. No. 1,950,757. For the most part, these holsters have not been generally accepted by those persons required to carry handcuffs. Consequently, law enforcement officers have carried their handcuffs looped through their belts or in their pockets. This general method of carrying handcuffs has proved not only to be inconvenient and unsafe, but also uncomfortable.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a holster for handcuffs of the type generally carried by law enforcement officers which provides not only a means for securely holding them in a proper position for instantaneous use, but also provides the maximum degree of comfort for the wearer. A further objective of the present invention is to provide a holster which permits the insertion therein of handcuffs in but one position which facilitates their use during the exigencies of the circumstances surrounding an arrest.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Generally, the present invention provides a handcuff holster having a pair of spaced apart and substantially circular side members having a circumferentially positioned tapered end member positioned between the side members. Each of the side members includes an outwardly extending annular groove which is positioned between a substantially circular inner portion and an outer circumferential flange. The annular grooves of each side member in cooperation with the inner portions of said side members define an annular engaging pocket for securely holding the handcuffs therein. The engaging pocket substantially conforms to the shape of the handcuff jaws.

The end member of the holster is positioned between and to the circumferential flanges throughout a portion of their circumference. That portion of the circumference of the flanges having no end member therebetween defines an opening into the engaging pocket. The opening is preferably of a length sufficient to permit passage of only the jaws of the handcuffs into the other edge, thereby securing the side members in substantially nonparallel planes.

Preferably, the side members each include an arcuate cutout which extends from the edge of the opening nearest the point where the end member has the smallest taper to a point substantially intermediate of said opening. The arcuate cutout passes through the annular grooves of each side member and through a portion of said circular inner portion or area. The cutout is included to facilitate the removal and insertion of the locking portion of the handcuffs. Located preferably opposite said cutout is a second opening through the end member into which can extend the pivot means of the handcuff jaws. This opening is also useful in permitting dirt and other material to escape therefrom.

Since the holster of the present invention is preferably made from leather, it is preferred that the portion of the circumferentialflanges define the opening extending between said cutout and the edge of the end member portion'having the widest'taper include biasing means to retain the shape of said opening throughout the life of the holster. Additionally, the biasing means can be made so as to aid in the engagement and retention of the handcuffs by the engaging pocket.

Other advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a perusal of the following detailed description of a presently preferred embodiment taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the holster of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the holster showing the opening;

FIG. 3 is an end elevation rotated from the position of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a section taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 1.

PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings, holster 10 of the present invention comprises a pair of substantially circular side members 11 and 12. Each of the side members includes an annular groove 13 and 14, respectively. Annular grooves 13 and 14 are positioned to lie between circumferential flanges 16 and 17, and substantially circular inner portions 18 and 19, respectively.

Positioned between circumferential flanges 16 and 17 is tapered end member 21. End member 21 extends throughout a portion of said circumferential flange and the portion between flanges in which no end member is provided defines opening 22. Side members 11 and 12 and end member 21 are preferably made from an 8 oz. leather. End member 21 is secured to circumferential flanges 16 and 17 by means of saddle lock stitching 23 utilizing a No. 6-cord waxed linen thread. While leather is preferred, it is clear that the side members and end member could be made from other materials.

For example, the holster of the present invention is readily amenable to injection molding with any suitable plastic material. The plastic material should have, however, a degree of resiliency. End member 21 is tapered from point A of opening 22 to point B of opening 22. A second opening 24 is preferably provided opposite opening 22 which accepts the standard jaw pivots 26 of the handcuffs 29.

A substantially arcuate cutout 27 is provided in each side member 11 and 12. Arcuate cutout 27 extends from point B of opening 22 to point C thereof, which is preferably about one-half the circumferential length of opening 22. Cutout 27 extends through annular grooves 13 and 14 and a portion of inner portions 18 and 19. Arcuate cutout 27 facilitates removal and positioning of handcuffs 29, and, in particular, is adapted to accept the locking portion of the handcuffs.

Preferably positioned between points A and C along circumferential flanges l6 and 17 at opening 22 is biasin g means 31. Biasing means 31 can be made, for example, from l6-gauge spring wire or the like. Biasing means 31 is preferably included to maintain the form of opening 22 as well as to aid in securing handcuffs 29 within the holster.

Annular grooves 13 and 14 in cooperation with inner portions 18 and 19 define an engaging pocket 32 into which the jaws of the handcuffs are firmly secured. The jaws of handcuffs 29 are firmly positioned within the pocket 32 and encompass inner portions 18 and 19 which extend into the inner space defined by the closed jaws of the handcuffs. Engaging pocket 32 is preferably lined with a 4 oz. soft leather to protect the handcuffs.

Side member 12 includes a securing means 33 for attaching holster to a belt or the like. As can thus be seen, the invention provides a means for securely and properly positioning handcuffs of the type most generally used. Because the end member is tapered, the engaging pocket can accept the handcuffs in only one position which means they are always accessible in the proper position for use.

Opening 22 is preferably made somewhat narrower than the thickness of the handcuffs to aid in their engagement within pocket 32. Thus, insertion requires a slight degree of force to separate the preferably biased circumferential flanges as well as to separate inner portions 18 and 19 to permit the jaws of the handcuff to engage within pocket 32. The force required to remove the handcuffs is minimal. And, with the use of cutout 27, removal is fast and positive.

While a presently preferred embodiment has been shown and described in particularity, the invention may otherwise be embodied within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A handcuff holster comprising a pair of spaced apart, substantially circular side members having circumferentially positioned between a portion thereof a tapered end member, each of said side members including an outwardly extending annular groove positioned between a substantially circular inner portion and an outer circumferential flange, said annular grooves in cooperation with said inner portion defining an annular engaging pocket, said end member being positioned between and to said circumferential flanges throughout a portion of their circumference and said other portion therebetween defining an opening into said engaging pocket.

2. A handcuff holster as set forth in claim 1 wherein said side members adjacent said opening are arcuately cut out, said cutout extending through said annular grooves and a portion of said inner portion.

3. A handcuff holster as set forth in claim 1 wherein one of said side members includes a means for securing said holster to a belt.

4. A handcuff holster as set forth in claim 1 wherein said circumferential flanges at said opening includes a biasing means for biasing said flanges toward each other.

5. A holster as set forth in claim 1 wherein a second opening is positioned through said end member sub- 

1. A handcuff holster comprising a pair of spaced apart, substantially circular side members having circumferentially positioned between a portion thereof a tapered end member, each of said side members including an outwardly extending annular groove positioned between a substantially circular inner portion and an outer circumferential flange, said annular grooves in cooperation with said inner portion defining an annular engaging pocket, said end member being positioned between and to said circumferential flanges throughout a portion of their circumference and said other portion therebetween defining an opening into said engaging pocket.
 2. A handcuff holster as set forth in claim 1 wherein said side members adjacent said opening are arcuately cut out, said cutout extending through said annular grooves and a portion of said inner portion.
 3. A handcuff holster as set forth in claim 1 wherein one of said side members includes a means for securing said holster to a belt.
 4. A handcuff holster as set forth in claim 1 wherein said circumferential flanges at said opening includes a biasing means for biasing said flanges toward each other.
 5. A holster as set forth in claim 1 wherein a second opening is positioned through said end member substantially opposite from said defined opening. 